Li Bai - Raise Your Cup
Beyond the Veil, The Yellow River's water comes from the sky, flowing to the sea, never to return.
Beyond the Veil, the bright mirror in the high hall laments white hair, morning hair like silk, evening turns to snow.
When fortune smiles, drink deep and bright. Let no joy fade beneath the moonlight.
Heaven gave me talents for a purpose, though gold may vanish, it can always return.
Roast lamb and slaughter cattle for pleasure, one must drink three hundred cups at once.
Master Cen, Sheng role of Danqiu, let's drink wine, do not let the cup stop.
Sing a song for you, please lend me your ear to listen.
Bells and drums, jade delicacies are not worth valuing, I only wish to stay drunk and not wake.
Ancient Sages were all lonely, only drinkers leave their names.
In the past, Prince Chen feasted at Ping Le, indulging in wine and merriment.
Why does the host speak of lacking money? Just buy wine to drink with you.
Five-flower horse, Thousand Gold Brew, call the boy to exchange for fine wine, let us dispel eternal sorrow together.
3 pts
Du Fu - The Stone Trench Official
At dusk, I arrived at Stone Moat Village, where officials captured people at night. The old man climbed over the wall to escape, while the old woman went out to see.
How angry the officials shouted! How bitterly the woman cried!
Listening to the woman's words: Three sons were stationed at Yecheng. One son sent a letter, two sons recently died in battle. The living barely survive, the dead are gone forever! No one else is in the house, only a grandson still nursing. The grandson's mother hasn't left, she goes out with torn skirts. Though the old woman's strength is weak, she asks to return with the officials at night. She urgently responds to the River Yang duty, still able to prepare breakfast.
As the night deepens, voices cease, as if hearing sobs in the dark. At dawn, I set out on the road ahead, bidding farewell to the old man alone.
3 pts
Zhang Ruoxu - A Moonlit Night on the Spring River
The spring river's tide flows level with the sea, the Moon Rises with the Tide.
Glistening waves follow for thousands of miles, where is the spring river without the bright moon!
The river winds around fragrant fields, the moonlight on flower forests resembles frost;
Frost flows unnoticed in the sky, white sand on the islet is unseen.
The river and sky are one color without a speck of dust, bright and clear is the lone moon in the sky.
Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In which year did the river moon first shine on people?
Life goes on endlessly through generations, the river moon year after year looks similar.
Unknowing who the river moon waits for, only seeing the Yangtze River sending flowing water.
A piece of white cloud drifts leisurely, the green maple shore cannot bear the sorrow.
Whose small boat tonight? Where does one miss the moonlit tower?
Pity the moon pacing above the tower, it should illuminate the mirror of the one departing.
Inside the jade door, the curtain rolls but does not go away, on the clothes-pounding stone, it brushes and returns.
At this moment, we look at each other but cannot hear, wishing to follow the moonlight to illuminate you.
Wild geese fly long, but light does not reach them. Fish and dragons dive and leap, and patterns form in the water.
Last night in the idle pool, I dreamt of Falling Flowers, pity that mid-spring does not return home.
The river water flows as spring is about to end, the river pool's falling moon slants west again.
The slanting moon sinks deep, hidden by sea mist, the endless path of Jieshi and Xiaoxiang.
Unknowing how many returns riding the moon, the falling moon shakes emotions among the river trees.
3 pts
Bai Juyi - Song of Everlasting Regret
The Han Emperor was captivated by beauty, seeking a peerless beauty for years without success.
In the Yang family, a girl was just coming of age, raised in a secluded chamber, unknown to the world.
Born with natural beauty, she could not be abandoned, and one day was chosen to be by the Emperor's side.
With a glance and a smile, she charmed all, making the beauties of the six palaces pale in comparison.
In the chill of spring, she was granted a bath at the Huaqing Pool, the warm spring water washing over her smooth skin.
Attendants helped her up, delicate and weak, marking the beginning of her newfound favor.
Her cloud-like hair and floral face adorned with golden ornaments, she spent warm spring nights under the lotus canopy.
The spring nights were fleeting, and the days began late, as the Emperor no longer attended morning court.
Indulging in pleasure and banquets, spring days were for spring outings, and nights were for exclusive company.
With three thousand beauties in the harem, all the Emperor's love was bestowed upon her alone.
In the golden chamber, she adorned herself for the night, and after the jade tower banquet, she was intoxicated with spring.
Her siblings were granted titles, and the family's glory shone brightly.
Thus, parents across the land wished for daughters over sons.
The palace on Mount Li reached into the clouds, and celestial music was heard everywhere.
Slow songs and dances accompanied by silk and bamboo filled the days, never enough for the Emperor's gaze.
The war drums of Yuyang shook the earth, interrupting the "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat" dance.
Smoke and dust rose from the nine-layered city gates, as thousands of chariots and cavalry headed southwest.
The imperial carriage swayed, moving and stopping, traveling over a hundred miles west of the capital.
The six armies did not advance, and with no other choice, she died before the horse.
The Huadian lay on the ground, uncollected, along with the Cui Qiao, golden sparrow, and jade hairpin.
The Emperor covered his face, unable to save her, looking back as tears mixed with blood flowed.
Yellow dust spread in the desolate wind, the cloud path wound up to Sword Gate.
Few traveled below Mount Emei, flags lost their luster under the dim sun.
The waters of Shu River were emerald, the mountains of Shu were green, and the holy sovereign's feelings were Eternal Days.
In the traveling palace, the sight of the moon was heartbreaking, and the sound of bells in the night rain was gut-wrenching.
The world spun as the imperial carriage returned, hesitating at this point, unable to leave.
In the mud beneath Mawei Slope, her jade face was unseen, only the place of her empty death.
Emperor and ministers looked at each other, tears soaking their clothes, as they rode back east to the capital.
Upon returning, the ponds and gardens were unchanged, the lotus of Taiye and the willows of Weiyang remained.
The lotus was like her face, the willow like her brows, how could one not shed tears at this sight?
Spring winds caress peach blooms in night's embrace, autumn rains bring falling leaves from the parasol trees.
In the western palace and southern gardens, autumn grass was abundant, fallen leaves covered the steps, uncleaned.
The disciples of the Pear Garden had new white hair, and the young maidens of the Pepper Chamber had grown old.
In the evening hall, fireflies flew as thoughts turned silent, the lone lamp burned out, yet sleep did not come.
The slow chimes and drums marked the long night, the stars and Milky Way shone as dawn approached.
The mandarin duck tiles were cold with heavy frost, who would share the jade quilt's chill?
Separated by life and death for years, her soul never came to Dreamweave.
A Daoist from Linqiong, a guest of Hongdu, could summon souls with sincerity.
Moved by the Emperor's restless thoughts, he diligently sought the soul.
Riding the air, he flew like lightning, searching heaven and earth.
He scoured the azure sky and the yellow springs, yet both places were vast and empty.
Suddenly, he heard of an immortal mountain over the sea, existing in the ethereal void.
Exquisite pavilions rose among five-colored clouds, where many celestial maidens resided.
Among them was one named Taizhen, with skin like snow and a floral face.
At the western chamber of the golden palace, he knocked on the jade door, sending Xiao Yu to inform Shuangcheng.
Upon hearing that the envoy of the Han Emperor had come, her soul was startled in the nine-flower tent.
She gathered her clothes, pushed aside the pillow, and paced, the pearl curtain and silver screen opened gracefully.
Her cloud-like hair was half askew from new sleep, her floral crown unkempt as she descended the hall.
The wind blew her celestial sleeves, lifting them as if she danced the "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat" dance.
Her jade face was lonely, tears streaming like rain on a pear blossom branch in spring.
With tender feelings, she gazed and thanked the Emperor, but after parting, their voices and faces were lost.
In the Zhaoyang Hall, their love ended, in the Penglai Palace, the Sun Moon were eternal.
Looking back down at the world of Humanity, she saw no Chang'an, only dust and mist.
She sent old belongings to express deep feelings, a golden hairpin and a jade box were sent away.
One part of the hairpin was left, one half of the box, the hairpin split, the gold divided, the box shared.
As long as their hearts were as firm as gold and jade, they would meet again in heaven or on earth.
Before parting, she earnestly sent words, within them a vow known to both hearts.
On the seventh day of the seventh month in the Hall of Longevity, at midnight, they whispered in secret.
In heaven, may we be birds flying side by side, In life, may we be branches intertwined.
Though heaven and earth may have an end, this sorrow will be endless and unceasing.
3 pts